The Pacific Highway upgrade will see better connections between communities, promote safer travel and reduce travel times for motorists and road freight. The works will also increase capacity to cater for future demand in the region.

As part of an overall programme that will see the entire roadway upgraded to freeway standard dual carriageways between Sydney and Brisbane, the project commences approximately 13 km north of Ballina, the northern end of the Ballina Bypass, and extends for approximately 17 km to the Ewingsdale Interchange, west of Byron Bay.

From 2011 to 2016, Aurecon provided site management services in a joint team with Roads and Maritime Services carrying out contract administration services, in addition to specialist design review associated with tunnel works, mechanical and electrical, geotechnical, structures, intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and lighting. Prior to 2011, Aurecon undertook the geotechnical investigations and provided technical advice during the planning phase of the project.

The project at a glance:

16.3 km of new four-lane, dual carriageway freeway

3.5 million cubic metres of general earthworks

17 main carriageway bridges/arch structures over waterways, local roads and property accesses

2 transverse bridges over the main carriageway for local roads and property access

Twin 434 m-long parallel tunnel structures under St Helena ridge

Tunnel electrical and mechanical systems, an operations management and control system, associated ITS and tunnel control centre (TCC)